Paper fastener



June 7, 1938. D. A. BRENNAN 2,119,843

' PAPER FASTENER Filed Sept. 5. 1933 Patented June 7, 1938 UNITED STATES 2,119,&43

PATENT r 34 Claims.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application, Serial No. 476,058, filed August 18, 1930.

The invention relates to improvements in fasteners for binding a stack of papers, such as letters in files, and particularly to an improved paper fastener including a base having prongs adapted to extend through apertures in the stack of papers, and a compressor having similarly spaced apertures adapted to receive said prongs therethrough, the free end portions of the latter being adapted to be bent downwardly over said compressor and to be held in place by latches.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved fastener of the foregoing type with novel means for effecting a yieldable engagement between the prongs and the latches, to resist displacement after the latter are moved into position to hold the prongs over the compressor.

Another object is to provide an improved fastener of the type described with novel means for effecting a frictional engagement between the prongs and the latches to resist displacement of the latches after they are moved over and into engagement with the prongs, in any of their variable positions on the compressor.

Another object is to provide an improved fastener of the type described with latches having means movable into yieldable frictional engagement with means on the compressor and on the prongs to hold said latches in predetermined variable positions on the compressor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fastener, inexpensive to manufacture and simple in operation.

The foregoing and such other objects of the invention as will more fully appear hereinafter will be more readily understood from a perusal of the following specification, reference .being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a fastener embodying features of the invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are plan views of two modified forms of fasteners.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Paper fasteners of the type comprising a base with prongs adapted to pass through apertures in a stack of papers, and a compressor having registering apertures adapted to receive said prongs, in some instances are provided with latches slidable over the prongs after the latter are bent downwardly over the compressor. In such devices, the latches often are arranged to slide inwardly over the prongs from a position outwardly of the apertures, and in other instances are slidable outwardly over the prongs from a position intermediate the apertures.

The invention relates, primarily, to the novel construction of a fastener in which the latches are adapted to be detachably secured in adjusted position over the bent-down prongs.

Referring particularly to Fig. l the fastener, constituting one embodiment of the invention, comprises a base II having prongs I2 on opposite ends, and an elongated compressor I3 having spaced apertures or perforations I4 adapted to receive the prongs. The prongs preferably are substantially less in width than the body of the base and are struck up substantially at right angles thereto.

Spaced parallel elevated guides or tracks I 5 are provided along the opposite longitudinal sides of the compressor I3. Preferably, the guides I5 are formed by folding the marginal side edges of the compressor I3 upwardly and then inwardly as shown, and extend between the apertures I l. The guides I5 serve to reinforce the compressor I3, and to confine the prongs I2 laterally when the latter are bent downwardly over and against the compressor. Preferably, the ends of the guides I5 are struck downwardly against the base of the compressor I3 inwardly of or adjacent the apertures I4 to constitute stops I6.

In the form of fastener shown in Fig. 1 the projecting end portions of the prongs I2 are bent inwardly from the apertures I4 towards each other. Two latches II, each formed of a strip of metal extending transversely of the compressor I3, are mounted to slide along the guides I5 between the stops I6. Each latch preferably is provided with an intermediate elevated or bridgelike portion I8, and two shoe portions lilconnected thereto by substantially vertical walls 2| underlie the guides I5. The latches H are initially located inwardly of the downwardly bent prongs I2, and are then movable outwardly over the ends of the prongs to hold the latter against the compressor I3. To secure the latches I'l releasably in position over the underlying endsof the prongs I2, each of said ends is formed, preferably in each edge, with a notch or recess 22, and each latch is formed with a lateral detent 23 stuck inwardly from one of the side walls 2| and adapted to engage in the associated recess. Preferably, the recesses 22 and the co-acting detent or side walls are arcuate in contour. The latches I'I preferably are made of yieldable material so that the side walls 2| can fiex or spread upon receiving the endsof the prongs I2 to cause the detents '23 to frictionally engage in the recesses 22.

It will be evident that the interlocking frictional engagement between the prongs l2 and the side walls 2| co-acts to secure the latches I! yieldably in the most advantageous latching position.

The fastener shown in Fig. 2, is like that shown in Fig. 1, except that here the latches I! have a detent 23 on each side wall, each of which is embracingly engaged by a notch 22 in the prong. In this form the stops I6 on guides I5 are located inwardly of the apertures M.

The fastener illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, is generally similar to the fasteners just described, and like parts are therefore identified by the same reference characters. In this instance, the elevated portions of the guides l5 extend outwardly beyond the apertures l4 so that the latches Ila are adapted to be moved inwardly over the downwardly bent prongs l2. The guides I5 preferably are depressed centrally of their ends, as indicated at 26, or may be provided with downwardly extending projections, to prevent the latches I! from sliding inwardly past the intermediate portion of the compressor l3.

The latches Ila have ends l9 slidably underlying the guides l5 as in the forms of Figs. 1 and 2, but differ from said forms in that they have intermediate elevated or bridge-like portions 25 which extend outwardly beyond the inner longitudinal margins of the guides to define overlying flanges 24, and then are struck under to join with curved side walls 2la. Preferably the intermediate portions 25 are slightly curved downwardly over the prongs l2. Also, both side edges of the prong l2 are formed with recesses 22, and both side walls 2| a of the latches Ila preferably are formed with inwardly projecting detents 23 or the equivalent for engaging in the recesses to frictionally hold the latches releasably in binding position over the prongs.

To retain the latches lla yieldably outwardly of the apertures l4, the base of the compressor l3 may beformed at each end, beneath one guide [5, with an upstanding projection 21 adapted to engage with a recess 28 in the underside of one shoe portion I8 of the associated latch upon movement of the latter into its outermost position, or an upstanding projection 210. may be provided on the compressor inwardly of the guides to co-operate with one side wall 2 la of the latch and frictionally retain it outwardly of the aperture.

Although various exemplary forms and adaptations of the improved fastener have been illustrated in the accompanying drawing and described in detail in the foregoing specification, it is to be understood that the features of the present invention may be incorporated in other fasteners of the general type shown, or otherwise varied in structural detail and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A paper fastener having, in combination, a base with spaced prongs, a compressor having spaced apertures adapted to receive said prongs, said prongs being adapted to be bent downwardly against said compressor, and latches secured to said compressor for longitudinal sliding movement respectively over said prongs, said latches having side walls movable into frictional engagement with said prongs to hold said latches releasably in position of adjustment over said prongs.

2. A paper fastener having, in combination, a

3. A paper fastener having, in combination, a

base with spaced prongs, a compressor having spaced apertures adapted to receive said prongs, said prongs being adapted to be bent downwardly against said compressor, and latches secured to said compressor for longitudinal sliding movement respectively over said prongs, each prong being formed in one side edge with a recess, each latch having a detent movable yieldably into engagement with the recess of the associated prong to hold said latch friotionally thereover.

4. A paper fastener having, in combination, a base with spaced prongs, a compressor having spaced apertures adapted to receive said prongs, said prongs being adapted to be bent downwardly against said compressor, and latches secured to said compressor for longitudinal sliding movement respectively over said prongs, each prong being formed in opposite side edges respectively with two recesses, each latch being formed in opposite sides with two detents movable into engagement with the recesses of the associated prong, whereby said latches are adapted to be held frictionally in position over said prongs.

5. A paper fastener having, in combination, a base with two spaced prongs, a compressor having two spaced apertures adapted to receive said prongs, said prongs being adapted to be bent downwardly against said compressor, two latches slidable along said compressor for movement respectively over said prongs, each prong having an offset recess and each latch being movable into engagement with the recess of the associated prong, said recesses partially embracing said latches, and co-action therebetween acting to secure said latches releasably in predetermined positions respectively over the free ends of said prongs.

6. A paper fastener comprising a base having prongs, a compressor provided with spaced openings to receive said prongs, said prongs being bent over against said compressor, said compressor having its longitudinal edges folded over to form guides, latches having their ends formed to embrace said guides, and an intermediate bridge-like portion formed in each latch between said longitudinal guides, said latches being movable respectively over said prongs to hold the latter down against said compressor, said latches each being formed to detachably engage at least one edge of the underlying prong adjacent its end to frictionally hold the latches in position over said prongs.

'7. A fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings one in each end, a base having similarly spaced prongs, said prongs being adapted to be inserted through said openings and then bent inwardly towards each other against said compressor, the sides of said compressor having longitudinal guides, and latches being slidable on said guides one over each of said prongs to hold the latter down against said compressor, each of the latches resiliently engaging oifset recesses in the underlying prong to retain it over said prong.

8. A paper fastener having in combination, a base having bendable prongs, a compressor with spaced openings to receive said prongs, the prongs being adapted to be bent down against the compressor, longitudinal guides on said compressor, and latches slidable along said guides one over each bent down prong, and means in said latches adapted to move into binding engagement with at least one edge of the underlying prong.

9. A paper fastener comprising a base having bendable prongs, a compressor having spaced openings to receive said prongs, the end portions of said prongs having recesses and being bent inwardly towards each other against said compressor, said compressor having its longitudinal edges forming guides, and latches having upper and lower marginal end flanges embracing said guides and intermediate bridge-like portions formed by said latches extending between said longitudinal guides, said latches being movable from an intermediate position between the bent down ends of said prongs outwardly respectively over said prongs to hold the latter down against the compressor, said latches having means to detachably engage the recesses on the underlying prong to yieldingly hold said latches in position over the ends of said prongs.

10. A fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings one at each end, a base having similarly spaced prongs, said prongs being adapted to be inserted through said openings and then bent inwardly toward each other against said compressor, and two latches movable along said compressor from a position intermediate the ends of the bent down prongs outwardly respectively over said prongs toward said openings, each of said latches being formed to embracingly engage said prongs whereby said latches are held over the prongs.

11. A paper fastener comprising a base having spaced resilient bendable prongs, a compressor over which said prongs are adapted to be bent, and a latching member movable on the compressor longitudinally thereof and having a bridge portion extending transversely over said compressor, at least one of said prongs being formed to provide embracing and resilient interlocking engagement between the prong and said latching member when the latter is located in a predetermined position with respect to said prong.

12. A fastener comprising, in combination, a flat elongated base provided with two longitudinally spaced prongs adapted to be bent upwardly into substantially parallelism, said prongs having recesses on their free ends, a flat elongated compressor having two longitudinally spaced apertures for said prongs to pass through, said prongs being adapted to be bent downwardly against the top of said compressor, and two latches slidably mounted on said compressor for movement respectively over the downwardly bent 'portions of said prongs to retain the latter against said compressor, each of said latches being movable into interlocking engagement with the recesses in the underlying prong.

13. A fastener comprising, in combination, a fiat elongated base provided with two longitudinally spaced prongs adapted to be bent upwardly into substantially parallelism, said prongs having recesses on their free ends, a flat elongated compressor having two longitudinally spaced apertures for said prongs to pass through, said prongs being adapted to be bent downwardly against the top of said compressor, and two latches slidably mounted on said'compressor for movement respectively over the downwardly bent portions of saidprongs to retain the latter against said compressor, each of said latches being movable into said recesses in the underlying prong.

14. A paper fastener having, in combination, a base having spaced prongs, a compressor having spaced openings to receive said prongs, said prongs being adapted to be bent downwardly against said compressor, the longitudinal edges of said compressor being folded over to form guides, bridge-like latches slidable along said guides, the central portions of said latches being elevated to pass over said prongs, said latches being movable from an intermediate position outwardly respectively over said prongs toward said openings, said guides being depressed at their ends to limit outward movement of said latches, and complemental co-acting means formed on the side edges of said prongs adjacent their free ends and on said latches to provide interlocking elements to yieldingly hold said latches over the ends of said prongs.

15. A paper fastener comprising a base having prongs, a compressor having spaced openings to receive said prongs, said prongs being adapted to be bent inwardly towards each other against said compressor, longitudinal guides on the compressor, bridge-like latches having their ends arranged to slide along said guides and their centrol portions elevated to pass over said prongs, said latches being movable from an intermediate position outwardly respectively over said prongs toward said openings, means on said guides to limit outward movement of said latches, and means on one edge of at least one prong and on at least one latch formed to provide interlocking elements to yieldingly hold said latch over the end of said prongs.

16. A paper fastener comprising, a base having prongs, a compressor having spaced openings to receive said prongs, said prongs being bent inwardly towards each other against said compressor, the longitudinal edges of said compressor being folded over to form guides, said guides extending outwardly beyond said openings, latches slidable along said guides, a central elevated portion on each latch adapted to pass over said prongs, means on said guides to limit outward movement of said latches and frictionally retain them outwardly of said openings, said latches being movable from beyond said openings inwardly respectively over said bent down prongs, and means on the edges of said prongs adjacent their ends and on said latches formed to provide interlocking elements to yieldingly hold said latches over the ends of said prongs.

17. A paper fastener comprising, a base having prongs, a compressor having spaced openings to receive said prongs, the prongs being adapted to be bent inwardly toward each other against said compressor, longitudinal guides on said compressor, said guides extending outwardly beyond said openings, latches having their ends engaging in said guides and their central portions elevated to pass over said prongs, means on said guides to limit outward movement of said latches and frictionally retain them outwardly of said openings, said latches being movable from beyond said openings inwardly respectively over the bent down prongs, and co-operating means on one edge of each of the prongs adjacent its end and on the associated latches formed to yieldingly hold said latches in position.

18. A fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings one in each end, a base having similarly spaced prongs one on each end, said prongs being adapted to be inserted through said openings and then bent inwardly towards each other against the compressor, the sides of said compressor being formed to provide longitudinal guides, said guides extending outwardly beyond said openings, latches slidable along said guides, and spaced vertical walls in said latches, said latches being movable inwardly from the respective ends of said compressor over the bent down end portions of the prongs, said vertical walls moving into resilient binding engagement with the edges of the underlying prongs.

19. In a fastener including a compressor, a base comprising, an enlongated member having prongs, one at each end, and one edge of each prong having a recess adjacent its free end adapted to co-operate with means on the compressor.

20. In a fastener, a compressor comprising, an elongated member having longitudinal guides, latches slidable in said guides, an intermediate elevated portion in each latch including substantially vertical walls, and a detent in one or both of said Walls.

21. A fastener comprising, in combination, a compressor having spaced openings, a base having similarly spaced prongs, said prongs being adapted to be inserted through said openings and then bent inwardly toward each other against said compressor, longitudinal guides formed on the side edges of the compressor, latches slidable on said guides over the underlying prongs to hold the latter down against said compressor, and means on said latches to embrace and frictionally engage the edges of the underlying prongs to retain said latches over said prongs.

22. In a fastener, a base including, an elongated member having prongs, one extending from each end, and each prong having a recess on each edge adjacent its free end.

23., A fastener having, in combination, a compressor, a base including an elongated member having prongs extending at right angles therefrom, one at each end, and means formed on at least one edge of each prong adapted to co-act with means on said compressor to hold said prongs to the compressor.

24. A fastener having, in combination, a base provided with prongs one extending from each end, a compressor through which said prongs extend, latches slidable on said compressor, and means in said latches to engage the edges of said prongs.

25. A paper fastener comprising a base having bendable prongs, a compressor with spaced openings to receive said prongs, said prongs being adapted to be bent inwardly toward each other against said compressor, longitudinal guides on said compressor, latches slidable along said guides one over the bent down portion of each of said prongs, and means in said latches adapted to move into resilient engagement with at least one edge of the underlying prong.

26. A fastener having, in combination, a base provided with prongs, one at each end, a compressor apertured to receive said prongs, and latches on said compressor slidable into frictional engagement with the edges of said prongs.

27. In a fastener including a compressor, a base including, an elongated member having prongs, one extending from each end, and at least one edge of each prong being recessed adjacent its free end for cooperating with means on said compressor.

28. A fastener comprising, in combination, a fiat elongated base provided with two longitudinally spaced prongs adapted to be bent upwardly into substantially parallelism, each prong having a recess on its free end, a fiat elongated compressor, said prongs being adapted to be bent downwardly against the top of said compressor, and two latches slidably mounted on said compressor, for movement respectively over the downwardly bent portions of said prongs 'to retain the latter against the compressor, each of said latches being movable into interlocking engagement with the recess in the underlying prong.

29. A fastener having, in combination, a base provided with spaced prongs, a compressor over which said prongs are adapted to be bent, and latches on said compressor slidable into frictional engagement with the edges of said prongs.

30. In a fastener, a compressor comprising an elongated member, latches slidable longitudinally along said compressor, an intermediate elevated portion in each latch including substantially vertical walls, and a. detent in one or both of said walls. 7

31. In a fastener, a compressor of the type adapted to have prongs folded thereover comprising an elongated member, latches slidable along said compressor into position over said prongs, and means in said latches adapted to frictionally embrace said prongs to prevent free movement of said latches along said compressor.

32. In a fastener including a compressor having latches slidable thereon, an elongated member having prongs adapted to be bent over said compressor, means on at least one edge of each prong arranged to be frictionally engaged by said latches.

33. A fastener base of the type having prongs adapted to co-operate with a compressor having latches thereon, and means on at least one edge of at least one of said prongs adapted to be frictionally engaged by said latches.

34. A paper fastener comprising a base having bendable prongs, a compressor over which said prongs are adapted to be bent, said prongs being recessed on at least one of their edges adjacent their ends, longitudinal guides on said compressor, slidable latches having upper'and lower marginal end flanges embracing said guides and an intermediate portion extending laterally between said guides, said latches being movable into position over said pr'ongs, and means on said latches to detachably engage said recesses to frictionally hold said latches in position over said I prongs. 

